Tampa, FL –
On a weekday evening, CK’s Restaurant stirs with activity. Guests at
the venerable revolving restaurant perched atop the Tampa Airport
Marriott dine on a menu of succulent steaks, seafood and chops and gaze
at the ever-changing view of the bay and the Gulf of Mexico in the
distance. Derrick Williams makes the experience even more memorable
behind the piano.
A multi-faceted singer, songwriter, pianist,
producer, and concert artist with a unique expression of his own,
Williams’ artistic style incorporates his diverse musical influences
harmonized as an extraordinary blend of contemporary and traditional
Gospel, Jazz, Rock, and Soul. Inspired by legendary greats such as
Oscar Peterson, Pattie Labelle, and Stevie Wonder, Williams is a
powerful vocalist.
Williams is finishing the recording process
of his Live Concert Gospel CD, "I'll Go," which will be released this
spring. He will showcase the CD at his Coffee House Gospel Concert
Series in 2005. Also, after numerous requests to record a jazz CD, the
entertainer has started writing the music and anticipates releasing the
full album in 2006.
Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama,
Williams developed an interest in music at an early age. Never having
studied music professionally, at the age of eight, he began singing and
playing the piano for a Sunday school service. His inspiring Gospel
roots propelled him to excel in music via high school choirs. He won
multiple talent contests and awards during his adolescent years.
His
first gig was in Bradenton, Florida playing keyboards and singing lead
vocals with a five-piece band to 50s and 60s tunes. "The Jury," an
appropriate name for a band which appeared nightly at the Judges‘
Chambers gave Derrick the foundation he needed to become one of
Florida's most versatile entertainers. In an effort to increase his
versatility, he began playing Gospel and Smooth and Contemporary Jazz
music around theTampa Bay Area.
With aspirations of exposing his
music to the world, he founded Derlie Records, Inc. (pronounced
"Deer-Lee"), an independent recording label company, based in Tampa,
Florida. As CEO and President, Williams is in charge of the label's
Creative Services Department, creating an avenue to independently
showcase his song writing and producing skills–while maintaining his
creative control. The goal for his record company is to sign a
distribution deal with a larger independent or major record label
enabling his music to be marketed and distributed both nationally and
internationally — reaching a larger market and audience sometimes
difficult to reach with a smaller independent label.
Williams
continues to tour and perform to support sales of his compact discs.
When not recording or touring, this multi-talented CEO can be found
performing with the Off-Broadway musical, "The Rock and the Rabbi."
Williams is well known nationwide for his thrilling performances as the
"Rabbi." As the originator of the lead role," Williams joined the cast
in 98', lending his operatic voice, consisting of five vocal octaves,
to the show's sensational musical score.
The musical
dramatically acquaints its audience with a very "old Story"-- about the
compelling relationship between Peter, a fisherman, and Jesus of
Nazareth. Told through the eyes of a story teller, the musical is
narrated then accompanied by musical numbers. The show made its debut
locally at one of the nation's premier world class performing arts
venues, Ruth Eckerd Hall. Since then, The "Rock and the Rabbi" has been
showcased at prestigious venues around the country.
Williams
has been touring with the show for the past seven years — receiving
rave reviews for his captivating and electrifying stage performances.
Pam Harbaugh of the FLORIDA TODAY writes "Derrick Williams, voicing
Jesus Christ, seems to carve the song out of the air around him. He has
amazing control and range and delivers a powerhouse performance. When
he sings "Follow Me," you want to do just that".
The show has
had tremendous success and will continue to perform around the Bay
Area, as well as tour the country. The show has signed with Celebrity
Attractions in Tulsa, Oklahoma and will begin a multi-year tour
throughout the country the Give My Regards To Broadways Series along
with Billy Joel and Twyla Tharp's Movin' Out, Cirque Dreams, and
Larry Gatlin in The Will Roger's Follies.
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Media Contact:
Quantified Marketing Group
407-936-1010
info@quantifiedmarketing.com
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